Ben Nelson Plans To Oppose Public Health Plan

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) said Friday that he will oppose legislation that would give people the option of a public health insurance plan. The move puts him on the opposite side of two-thirds of Americans.

A poll released this week by Consumer Reports National Research Center showed that 66 percent of Americans back the creation of a public health plan that would compete with private plans. Nelson, in comments made to CQ, joins the 16 percent of poll respondents who said they oppose the plan.

Nelson's problem, he told CQ, is that the public plan would be too attractive and would hurt the private insurance plans. "At the end of the day, the public plan wins the game," Nelson said. Including a public option in a health plan, he said, was a "deal breaker."

A Nelson spokesman didn't return a call for comment.

As he so often does, Nelson said, according to CQ, that he planned to form a "coalition of like-minded centrists opposed to the creation of a public plan, as a counterweight to Democrats pushing for it."

That coalition will not include 16 Democratic senators who signed a letter calling for a public plan earlier this week, including Senate leaders Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Charles Schumer (N.Y.).

If Democrats use the reconciliation process to pass health care reform, however, Nelson's vote would not be needed, as only a simple majority could pass the legislation.

Ryan Grim is the author of the forthcoming book This Is Your Country On Drugs: The Secret History of Getting High in America

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Comments

[talkingwolfwoman]

Maybe Nelson should pay for his own Health Ins. He doesn't the GOV does. I would like to have the same coverage as he does 100% and pay what he does 0 dollars. What a DUfus. One good thing about Spector he will VOTE for health care said so in his press Conf. Can't wait to see who joins him!!

[litlbznsmn]

We, the American Public need to do away with socialized health care for congress. Why should we foot the bill for these people's health care when they are doing all they can to deny us reasonably priced care??

Maybe Sen. Nelson will volunteer to give up his government guaranteed health care. This is just really sickening.

[EconPadawan]

My thoughts exactly! Why do we vote for representatives who work against our best interests yet we continue to pay for their salaries and health care?

[CanadianBeef]

My thoughts exactly. When Sen. Nelson gets free health care, it's a job perk. If you get it, it's socialism.
The Democratic party should cleanse itself of fake members. Remember the Republican's Contract With (On?) America back in the 1990s? Sure, it was all BS, but at least the party members had gotten together to agree on a set of principles. Even today, irrelevant as they are, the Republicans are nearly unanimous on every issue, while Democrats have to keep catering to a few "centrists" like Nelson who make it impossible for the party to have any ideology. If sell-outs like Nelson want to be "centrists" they can run as independents. Out of the party, Nelson!

[MikeCanada]

is he out of his mind???

[Bluewaterjack]

That is fantastic. SInce you are so far in the pocket of Health Insurance Companies who don't want to give up their huge profits and admininstrative fees, than you should PLAN on getting a real job and PLAN on getting off the public dole.

A little advice from someone who works for a living, when you are voted out of office PLAN on paying at least $500.00 per person in your family for the health care PLAN that is currently being offered to the rest of us.

And for that $500.00 a month, PLAN on not being able to see the doctor of your choice, PLAN on paying huge co-pays and all of you medications, PLAN on waiting 3 months to get an appointment, and PLAN on getting the same sub-par medical care from a doctor that you are forced to use. That is the PLAN real people currently have, Senator.

[shockmagog]

There it is.

[CanadianBeef]

Yes, I'm always amazed when people raise the "socialized medicine" bogeyman. Right, private health care is working just great . . .

[naijaman]

"Nelson's problem, he told CQ, is that the public plan would be too attractive and would hurt the private insurance plans."

So Ben Nelson think private insurance companies will lose out to public healthcare plans and he finds that objectionable? WOW...

[LeLoup]

Who do you work for Senator?????
Huh?
Who CARES about the insurance companies??

[CanadianBeef]

I'll give him credit for one thing, Sen. Nelson is being open and transparent. He is admitting that public health care is good for the public -- so good that it can't be allowed. As he says, it would danage the for-profit insurance companies. Sen. Nelson has obviously just decided that he cares more about the industry thaan he does about his constituents. It takes some cajones to just come right and say you're a w--re, eh Senator?

[Du U C ME]

The discussion over various political issues (including health care) has been dominated by false-dilemmas. That being said, the reason that there are only two choices has a lot to do with the bipolarity of our political system--and two oppressively stagnant agendas. Speaking frankly about issues makes it so much harder to maintain the status-quo, but much easier to build public will. Change is natural; ideology is man imposing his will on that which is bound to change.

[Coinyer101]

so, how much has the health insurance industry donated to his campaigns? how many lobbyists is he neck-deep in? he's just another bluedog-repub, like the rest of the moderates.

[IndieBlue]

2003-2008: Health Professionals: $233,426(Total), $78,326(In­dividuals)­, $155,100(PAC)
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid==N00005329&cycle=2008

[IndieBlue]

2003-2008: Insurance Industry: $608,709(Total), $217,145(I­ndividual)­, $391,564(PAC)
http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2008&cid==N00005329

[IndieBlue]

2003-2008: Lobbyists: $283,395(Tot), $277,510(Ind), $5,885(PAC)

[madHenry]

I'll be sending $100 to any Dem who challenges "mental Ben" in the next primary.

[jena132]

E-mail Nelson and tell him he's wrong.....­..how can he side with the private companies that are robbing us blind?!

http://bennelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

[Coinyer101]

he's a bluedog dem. which means he's no different than Spectre or Lieberman. repubs in dem clothing.

[Lucky123]

So, he cares more about "private insurance companies" than he does "people".

Then, sir, get out of politics, and get a job working for an insurance company, because as a senator, you represent ALL of the people in your district, not just the insurance companies.

[weatherwaxx]

When does ol' Ben come up for re-election?

[jena132]

not soon enough!

[pbfishtaco]

Why is this man smiling?
Because he has guaranteed full health insurance for him and his family!

And he gets a s**tload of money from the health insurance (and banking!) industry.

[TGCNY]

Well glad to see whos in the interest of the insurance companies who kills poor people with there prices and turn around and doesnt cover you when u need them.

Atleast you showed your tru colors early you weasle nelson. health care will pass the train will leave you at the station and watch your back in the upcoming election you faith is near.

[Harmony1812]

We could have affordable health care if weren't paying all our money to insurance companies and Pharma. Insurance should be for people that can afford it and want special care. Most of us just want to be well enough to work and care for our families.

[timbonotes]

Maybe he'll catch the swine flu and die. One can always hope.

[Progressive Pete]

I am sure the FBI will be interested in this.

[weatherwaxx]

Sounds like a wish to me, not a threat.